"I was talking to him yesterday he was keen to know our thoughts on Watford and how we are looking," said Bond, who has been in charge in Redknapp's absence.

"We made preparations to come to the game and he was genuinely looking forward to it."

Bond, who has worked with Redknapp at West Ham, Portsmouth and Southampton, misses Redknapp's company during the 125-mile trip they share together to work and is in no doubt that the manager also misses being able to look after first-team affairs at their Chigwell base.

"He thrives on being at the training ground. He likes the environment, he enjoys it," Bond said.

"He is always full of conversation, full of stories. Not driving up and down with him for the last few days has been a lonely old drive in the mornings."